Jagiellońska street in Bydgoszcz

Location

The street is located in the heart of Bydgoszcz. It stretches on an east-west axis, from Fordon roundabout to the intersection with Gdańska Street. It is approximately 2.2 km long. Jagiellońska street joins the Old Town and Downtown district of Bydgoszcz.

History

The Jagiellońska street is on the path of a medieval communication route between Bydgoszcz castle and Fordon on the Vistula river: since the mid-13th century, the only permanent crossing of the Brda river was the bridge of Bydgoszcz Old Town where customs duties were collected. This road was leaving the town from the "Gdansk Gate" and was running eastward following the northern side of the Brda river. In Fordon, it was possible to cross the Vistula river to get to Chełmno Land or follow northeast along the Lower Vistula valley towards Swiecie and Gdańsk.

The course of the road, coinciding with the current street, is visible on the oldest known plan of Bydgoszcz, by Swedish Count Erik Dahlbergh in 1657. In the 17th–18th century, the road was connected with the farming cities and villages located in the east: Grodztwo, Bartodzieje, Zimna Woda, Bartodzieje Małe and Fordonek.

In 1867, the village of Grodztwo has been incorporated to Bydgoszcz territory, pushing further east the limit of the town (in the area of today's Oginski Street). Another extension of the borders occurred in 1920, reaching current city borders: the ancient medieval path is now covered by Jagiellońska and Fordonska streets course. During the interwar period, Jagiellońska street ended on Maximilian Piotrowski street, the eastern remaining path being called "Promenade street".

The development of Jagiellońska street as an important and chic area started in the 1830s, with the construction of grand edifices like the building by Prussian administrative authorities of the Regional Office (Polish: Budynek Urzędu Wojewódzkiego). Later on, Grodztwo section gradually became an official area, with administrative, educational and cultural activities. In 1840, the axis so far called "road to Fordon" (German: Der Weg von Vordon) has been named Wilhelmstrasse in honor of the King Frederick William IV of Prussia. In 1870-1872, the construction of a new steel bridge on the Brda river, the Bernardyńska street was created, joining Jagiellońska and the river.

In the second half of the 19th century a number of official buildings have been erected along the street, such as:

At the same period, on the eastern limit of Bydgoszcz, hence in the vicinity of Jagiellońska street, other urban edifices have been erected:

Some buildings have been designed by famous architects of their time, like Bydgoszcz-born Józef Święcicki or Heinrich Seeling from Berlin.

After World War II, the increasing traffic along the axis has required to enlarge the street. Between 1969 and 1973, prolonging this avenue led to the creation of Fordońska street to the east, improving traffic conditions in this area of Bydgoszcz. In 1974, the completion of the streets modernization also allowed Jagiellońska and Focha streets to have a dual carriageway with a middle track for trams, in addition Jagiellonska roundabout was built with an underground passage for pedestrians.

Very recently, in 2013, the University Bridge has been achieved, allowing to drive over Jagiellonska street and to cross the Brda river on a north-south axis.

Naming

Jagiellońska Street bore the following names:

Means of communication

First tram tracks on Jagiellońska street was built in 1901, at the creation of the third electric tram line (line "C" blue), from Wilczak to Skrzetusko. In 1904, the line was extended eastward to Bartodzieje, as the longest tram line (5.4 km) in the city. Between 1972 and 1974, in connection with the expansion of Jagiellońska street, the single-track line was converted into a two-way one.<refBoguta, Tadeusz (1964). Rozwój i aktualna problematyka komunikacji miejskiej w Bydgoszczy. Bydgoszcz: Kronika Bydgoska II. ></ref>

Currently on the street. Jagiellonian run the following tram lines:

Architecture

Jagiellońska Street is one of the most important and most representative streets of Bydgoszcz. Buildings standing in the Old Town section of the street, from Gdańska Street to Jagiellońska roundabout, date back to the Prussian era. Main historical buildings from this period include the building of the Regional Office, the Main Post Office, the National Bank of Poland seat in Bydgoszcz.

The Church of the Poor Clares displays Gothic and Renaissance features.

The eastern section (from Jagiellońska roundabout to Fordon) possesses less historic buildings and more international style buildings from 1945 and after. The most numerous buildings represent the end of 19th-beginning of 20th century and the modern period.

Main places and buildings

Poor Clares' Church, Gdańska Street N°2, corner with Jagiellońska Street

Registered on Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship heritage list, N°601229 Reg.A/209 (March 31, 1931)

1582–1602 & 1618–1645

Gothic-Renaissance-Baroque

The oldest building in Gdańska Street, it has been used as a warehouse and a fire station during Prussian times.

Drukarnia shopping mall, at N°1

2007, by JSK Architects

Modern Architecture

At this location was located here one of the biggest printhouse in Poland.

Savoy Building, at N°2, corner with Theatre square

1913

Modernism

This tenement stands at the corner of Jagiellońska Street and Theatre Square. From 1789 to 1800, on the place were a storehouse and stable. In 1853, a new building was erected, which survived until 1912. This year, a new edifice has been built by Rudolf Kern following a design of architect Heinrich Gross: the client was Otto Pfefferkorn, owner of a successful furniture factory and a tenement in Gdanska street. Minor works have been performed in 1922-1923. In 1940, arcades designed by Jan Kossowski have been added at ground level at the request of the Nazi authorities: the project comprised also the opposite building with the same features.

The address has housed for a long time the Alliance Française offices of Bydgoszcz. Today, the place is famous for the night club "Savoy" that occupies a whole floor.

Regional Office Building, at N°3

Registered on Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship heritage list, N°601346-Reg.A/871 (October 29, 1956 & October 20, 1959).

1834–1836

Neoclassical architecture

The oldest buildings of the Regional Office was built between 1834 and 1836 as the seat of a Prussian region (Polish: Rejencja), an administrative unit established in 1815 within the Grand Duchy of Posen. Before its construction, officials of the Netze District have been meeting in the 1778-building on the Old Market Square (now the Provincial and Municipal Public Library). The development of the institutions required a new administrative building. The foundation stone of the building was laid on June 8, 1834. The construction was carried out in two years two years under the supervision of Carl Adler, advised by Karl Friedrich Schinkel working in Berlin. Construction manager was Friedrich Obuch, a Bydgoszcz regency councilor.

In the years 1863–64, the building was extended by two small avant-corps on each side. In 1898–1900, the edifice was partially reconstructed and added four wing in the corners, under the supervision of Mr Busse, a national project building inspector. Originally in the basement were located the housing and laundry services, the lithography facility and the fuel storage. On the ground floor were set bureaus, offices, the cadastre district department and the finance branch. On the first floor, in addition to the presidential salon, there were a reading room, a library and a conference room. School, tax and forestry departments were housed on the second floor and in the attic. When Bydgoszcz joined back Polish territory in 1920, Prussian administration was liquidated, the now disused building housed, among others, the Regional Directorate of State Forests, the Accounting Chamber of Control of the Ministry of Posts and Telegraphs, the Regional Tax Office, the county School Inspectorate and the Inspectorate of Labour. In 1938, Bydgoszcz city became the capital of Pomeranian Voivodeship and the building housed its administrative services. During the Nazi occupation, German authorities reactivated Bydgoszcz "Rejencja" within the District of Gdańsk-West Prussia and used the edifice accordingly. After the liberation of Bydgoszcz in March 1945, the building was constantly the provincial seat of the Polish authorities. From 1945 to 1950, it housed the Bydgoszcz Voivodeship, between 1950 and 1975 the Provincial Bureau of National Council, from 1975 to 1998 the Provincial Office and the Local assembly of the Bydgoszcz Province. Since the administrative reform of 1999, it is the seat of Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. In the 1960s, the construction has been expanded with side-buildings, connected by a pedestrian covered bridge:

The building was erected on the plan of an elongated rectangle, with four wings at the corners. The oldest, central body displays of Neoclassical characteristics, later avant-corps and wings present eclectic features. The building has a symmetrical shape. It comprises a basement, two-storey with an attic covered with gable roofs. The front part main entrance is incorporated into a slight avant-corps. The ground floor is decorated with bossage, and the front elevation is crowned with an advanced profiled cornice, supported by a range of corbels. The interior has preserved the original layout of the rooms. The staircase is to be noticed, with its openwork balustrade. In the north east wing, the ground floor still possess Tuscan marble columns from the time of construction. Before the main edifice stands:

Emil Werckmeister tenement, at N°4

1910–1912

Eclecticism in architecture, Neo-Mannerism, Neo-Baroque

The building was erected from 1910 to 1912 on the site of demolished granaries where was housed since 1907 the winery "Werckmeister". Emil Werkmeister commissioned architect Heinrich Seeling from Berlin to realize the project. In 1920, the building was purchased by Bydgoszcz's Municipal Savings Bank (Polish: Komunalną Kasę Oszczędności), which performed internal modernization works. In 1938, the building was expanded with enlarged wings and outbuildings designed by Jan Kossowski, creating a single, closed bank complex. Today, the ground floor houses the local seat of Millennium Bank while upper levels are privately owned.

The tenement presents eclectic forms, with Neo-Mannerism and Neo-Baroque elements. It has a Mansard roof and an attic. In the corner with Pocztowa street stands a two-storey bay window topped by a tented roof onion with a finial. Facades are decorated with rich architectural details like friezes between floors or cornices. The bay window is adorned with a graphic solar motif, often used by Heinrich Seeling in his other projects. The same motif is also visible in other parts of the facade (gables, friezes under the windows).

Main Post office, at N°6

Registered on Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship heritage list N°601347-Reg.A/749 (December 15, 1971).

1883–1899

Neo-Gothic

Buildings stand on a plot delimitated by the following streets: Jagiellońska, Stary Port, Pocztowa and Franciszek Ksawery Drucki-Lubecki in Bydgoszcz. They have been erected on the northern bank of the Brda river.

National Bank of Poland (NBP) building, at N°8

1863

Neo-Renaissance

The building at Jagiellońska street 8 houses the historic edifice of the National Bank of Poland in Bydgoszcz.

Building at N°9, corner with Konarskiego Street

1872

Neoclassical architecture

The building was erected in 1872 on a design by architect Müller to house the civic school for boys (German: Bürgerschule). The school was located in the former Bydgoszcz's Carmelites monastery. It was an elite folk school, with a 9 years cycle, and pupils usually belonged to wealthy high society, rich enough to pay the high tuition fees. In 1884, the Bügerschule moved to a building in Stanisław Konarski street, where is located today the Bydgoszcz School of Fine Arts. In the 1990s, the building housed the Foreign Language Teacher Training College, which then moved to a building in Dworcowa Street. Since 2010, the seat of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Centre for Education and Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship Marshal's Office in Bydgoszcz are located there.

On the sidewalk grows a ginkgo identified as Natural landmark of Bydgoszcz.

The building boasts historicism features, with a predominant Neoclassical architecture form. It has a "L" shape, with a prominent avant-corps in the middle of its frontage, with two storey, an attic and a basement. The entrance double portal is topped with a triangular pediment and a tympanum in which is placed a circular ornament. The facade is divided by horizontal cornices and a wide frieze on its top. The ground floor is decorated with bossage.

Building at N°10

1862–1866

Eclecticism

This house from the 2nd half of the 19th century houses since the beginning of the 20th century the "Chamber of Craft" (Polish: Izba Rzemiosła) for Bromberg city at its inception, today it gathers crafts from the whole Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. The building also houses the local seat of Polish Weigh and Measure office.

The building has undergone serious architectural changes after World War II and the restorations that followed: loss of facades balconies and eclipse of the gable and roof pilasters. In 2003, a frontage renovation brought back Art nouveau colorful floral ornaments.

Building at N°12

1880

Eclecticism

The house at then Wilhelm Straße 59, was a renting tenement owned by the famous Blumwe family. Wilhelm and Karl Blumwe had a factory at today's Nakielska 53. They also had their own villa built on Gdańska Street, at N°50.

The building shows nice architectural details

The top ogee gable is equally decorated.

Medical College Building, at N°13

1850–1852

Functionalism

The building was erected between 1850 and 1852, as Bromberg hospital garrison. It was located then at the crossroads of Jagiellońska (German: Wilhelmstrasse) and May 3 (German: Hempelstrasse) streets. The latter was marked with a wall of brick, whereas the former had a fence with iron wrought bars with a gate and a wicket. The main building, "U"-shaped, was a monumental edifice of brick facades, with a three-storey body, flanked by 2 avant-corps in its corners: they were higher than the facade and topped with battlements, like medieval towers. Originally the building had a symmetrical facade along a two-storey avant-corps topped with battlements, where was located the main entrance, and three extra barracks for the sick. Additional elements were built regularly until 1910:

In 1919, with Bydgoszcz city rejoining the Polish territory, the Second Polish Republic took over the hospital from the Prussian military authorities. The size of Bydgoszcz garrison and the proximity with the fighting area of Polish–Soviet War increased significantly the activity of the hospital: in 1920, under the command of Poznan General District, the medical capacity of the institution reached the maximum amount of 1,140 beds. After the conflict, and following several territorial re-organisations of the polish armed forces, the number of hospitalized patients steadily decreased. In 1922, Bydgoszcz Regional Hospital housed 320 beds, in 1923 300 beds and in 1924-1925, 200 beds. In 1928, Torun military authorities decided to stop the activity of Bydgoszcz hospital, which had only 100 beds left, keeping the District Hospital in Torun. In this way, Bydgoszcz remained till 1939 without Military medical Department.

During Nazi occupation, the building has been used as a German military hospital.

After the liberation of Bydgoszcz, from January 26 to February 10, 1945, hospital buildings accommodated a Mobile Field Surgical Hospital of the Polish Army. In 1948, once the hospital has been disbanded, a huge renovation occurred: expansion of main building, demolition without the knowledge and consent of the military authorities of five buildings. The renovated complex housed the Provincial Council of Polish Communist Party till the end of the communist era. In 1990, the edifice became the property of the Regional Treasure Department: at that time, several buildings passed to the ownership of "Nicolaus Copernicus University Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz", which have located their offices of the rector, two deaneries, college administrators, some classrooms, a cafeteria and an additional dormitory. Around 2000, with Tax and Revenue office leaving the premises, the whole building fell under the responsibility of the University.

From the former buildings of the garrison hospital, only the "U" shaped footprint is left. It was initially constructed in the style of historicism, using forms of Neo-Romanesque. Its appearance resembled a fortress, but these stylistic features have been lost during the complex reconstruction carried out in 1947-1948, which also wiped away the avant-corps, changed the size and shape of the windows, added a fourth floor and extended the gable to the whole edifice.

Bank Pocztowy Building, at N°17

1968

Functionalism

The building was constructed on a design of architect Henry Micuły. In the vicinity stood buildings from 1817: a Prussian warehouse for spare parts and the arsenal, destroyed by an explosion. Since 1990, it houses the national seat of "Bank Pocztowy", whose shareholders are the Polish Post (75%) and PKO BP (25%).

Citibank Building, at N°21

1991–1992

Functionalism

The building houses Bydgoszcz branch of "Bank Handlowy in Warsaw, now Citibank. It was designed by Kurt Roessling from Steckel & Roggel Baugesselschaft company.

Youth Palace, at N°27

1970–1974

Functionalism

Palace of Youth construction is an initiative of the civil society of Bydgoszcz in 1969. At the time the project was called Social Committee for the Construction Youth Culture, Technology and Sport (Polish: Społeczny Komitet Budowy Młodzieżowego Domu Kultury, Techniki i Sportu). Architects were Z. Lipski, J. Sadowski and J. Wujek, supported by Engineer Bernard Majchrzak. The construction began on July 20, 1969,. and lasted 6 years: alongside building companies, young people ad pupils also participated to the project reusing bricks coming from on- site ruined 19th century Prussian warehouse Offices. The 6000 m² facility was officially inaugurated on July 22, 1974., its first director being Dorothy Kempka. The complex took the name of "Youth palace-Jan Krasicki" ((Polish)Pałac Młodzieży im. Janka Krasickiego), a youth activist and member of the Polish Workers' Party (1919-1943), from 1977 to 1990. In 2009, the building has undergone a refreshing of its facade. In 2015, discussions started to plan a major renovation of the facility.

In the Palace of Youth, particular attention has been paid from the beginning to the standard of its equipment and the selection of experienced staff. This characterics has led to the rapid development of various forms of work with young people. From the first days on, the Palace established a number of laboratories and specialized sections (art, technics, sport, science, clubs), explaining the success of the institution: during its first year (1974-1975), it welcomed 2800 young participants in 3 departments (Song and Dance, Sports and Mass Event). In the following years, within the five departments, 4000 children took part to the activities. Regularly, the sections are redefined to be in line with the interests of the young audience. In the 1970s, the Palace became the coordinating point of youth events in Bydgoszcz Voivodeship. In 1977 the facility organized and housed the first international festival Bydgoszcz Musical Impressions (Polish: Bydgoskie Impresje Muzyczne), with teams from the Eastern Bloc, France and Sweden. Soon this event has found a permanent place in the calendar of Festivals in Bydgoszcz, while the Youth Palace received numerous awards, diplomas and awards for it. "Bydgoszcz Musical Impressions" is still active today.

Since its inception the Youth Palace operates in the building at Jagiellońska Street 27. The area of the building is 7600 m² distributed among three floors with the following equipments:

Since 1974, the institution manages a Watersport Club "Copernicus" located on the Brda river and since 2006 a Rowing Club

Before the building is growing a catalpa tree, with a circumference of 135 cm, recognized as Bydgoszcz Natural Monuments.

Ludowy Park

6,42 ha

1953

The park is located between the streets Jagiellońska, Piotrowski and Markwart, on a 250 by 275 m area mainly lying in the back of the Youth Palace. It was named in memoriam of Wincenty Witos.

Ludowy Park ("People's Park") was founded at the place of an ancient cemetery, dating back to 1778, the oldest and largest in the city. In 1838 was built a house for the administrator, with a separate room for the morgue. In 1884, a cemetery was erected and in 1898 a massive brick fence, which survived after the liquidation of the cemetery. Entrance was made through two wrought iron gates to Markwart street, leading to the chapel located in the middle of the graveyard. A large square with outgoing path, like spokes, divided the cemetery into quarters. A lot of different trees were growing there: oak, chestnut, European beech, downy oak, sessile oak, oak red, locust, birch, lime, common spruce, prickly spruce and white spruce, and near the house were 10 Catalpa bignonioides. In 1938, 66 species of trees and shrubs were growing in the cemetery where a majority of German tombs could be found.

After Bydgoszcz's liberation in 1945, the old cemetery was closed and transferred to the Lutheran cemetery in Zaświat Street. The liquidation of the ancient graveyard was carried out in 1951-1952, the last bone exhumation to Zaświat street was held in 1956. Many tombstones have been destroyed during the liquidation, along with sculptures, reliefs and catacombs. It has been the case for some famous people's tombstones:

Once the cemetery liquidated, a city park, named "People's Park" (Polish: Ludowy park), has been set up on the very place, using part of the remaining elements of the gone necropolis.

In 1956, a concert shell has been erected with a capacity of 5000 people. This building replaced the amphitheatre erected in 1946 in Park Casimir the Great. In addition to the concert shell, three blocks of flats on the western edge of the park, and pavilions in the east were constructed. In 1974, at the southern edge of the park has been built the "Youth Palace". On June 3, 1984, at the initiative of People's Party, the park has been given the name of Wincenty Witos: his bust has been realised by Witold Marciniak and funded by Bydgoszcz Voivodeship's Polish People's Party. Between the monument and the concert shell, a round pool with a gushing summer fountain has been built. In 2007 have been performed renovations of parkways, concert shell and park greenery. On April 24, 2007, a black granite obelisk commemorating the existence of the old cemetery has been unveiled in the south-east corner of the park, bearing the inscription:

Franz Bauer Tenement, at N°30

Registered on Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship heritage list, N°601348 Reg.A/853/1-2 (December 27, 1995).

1895–1896, by Józef Święcicki

Eclecticism

The tenement has been built for a restaurateur, Franz Bauer, who had his activity in then "Wilhemstrasse 49" until 1910, when he sold it to Rober Neuman, another restaurateur. This catering business is still present today with an ASian restaurant at this address.

Park "Władysław II Jagiełło"

0,5 ha

1844

The park is delimited by streets Jagiellońska and Uroczą, and by the Brda river to the south. Its current area is only 50x100m, reduced by the presence of a post war building "Dom Technika NOT". The park has been founded in 1844, with an area of 0.7 ha. Its original name was "Town Park" (German: Stadt Park). The main entrance was from Jagiellońska street, and comprised a garden with a large lawn adjacent to the Brda river. In the early 20th century, the park has been separated from the river by low buildings.

A general reconstruction took place in 1929-1930 when the park was renamed after Władysław II Jagiełło: a granite fence and a rose flowered trellis were built along Jagiellońska street, a second entrance was created on Uroczą street. The main attraction of the area was a large fountain with a paddling pool. In 1939, the foliage on Jagiellońska street was so dense that one could not see the center of the park from the street. Just before the outbreak of World War II, 45 species of trees and shrubs were growing in the park. In 1972–1974, in the southern part of the area was built the "Bydgoszcz House of Technology" or Dom Technika NOT (Polish: Naczelna Organizacji Techniczny, Polish Federation of Technics), by architect Stefan Klajbor, and in the eastern part, from 1973 to 1975, have been erected offices. The remaining plot is used as a square, in the middle of which was a fountain, which served as an open pool: today it is a flowered area. Sculptures also adorns the garden.

Robert Aron Tenement, at N°36

1893–1894

Neo-renaissance & Mannerism

This residential building was completed for Robert Aron, a merchant and manufacturer engaged in the production and sale of construction materials. It was realized by the architect Joseph Święcicki. At the time, the address was "Wilhemstrasse 45, Bromberg". Aron's shop has been active till the start of World War II.

The building has a mansard roof, and initially housed two 7-room apartments.

Gasworks building, at N°42

1859

Historicism

City gasworks building was built between 1859 and 1860 in Bydgoszcz. In 2003, it became part of the Polska Spółka Gazownictwa (Pomeranian Gas Company).

City Slaughterhouse, at N°41-47

Registered on Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship heritage list, N°601351-Reg.A/505/1-6 (April 23, 1998).

1890–1910, by Carl Meyer

Historicism

The plant was located in the former eastern outskirts of the city, near the Gasworks plot. Both companies have been using the 1892 rail track section, which ran along today's Oginski street. The complex comprises four historic buildings: the first one (No. 47) was established in 1893, others date back to 1897, 1909 and 1910. The ensemble, designed by architect Carl Meyer, was part of the municipal slaughterhouse and meat trade in Bydgoszcz,together with the factory itself. In 1894, a 2 ha plot around the slaughterhouse was established as a trade centre.

In 1920, the company passed into Polish hands, and growed in size: in 1928, company "Bacon Export SA" has been established in Gniezno, in 1929-1930, a new bacon processing factory gas been built on site, along Piotrkowski street. The slaughterhouse produced for the local market and also exported abroad. Its best seller to United Kingdom during interwar period was bacon.

In 1939, the plant was confiscated and run by the German army, its name was changed to Meat Products Factory "Nawag". The factory company produced bacon, sausages and canned food for the Wehrmacht.

In the years 1945-1949, factories took back their name as city slaughterhouse, subordinated to the control of Warsaw. In the 1960s, the first serious post-war investments for modernization have been realized. After a period of greatest prosperity in 60s and 70s, the slaughterhouse was hit by the economic crisis. In addition, in 1991, Bydgoszcz plants lost their authorization to export to European Union and United States. The need of a construction of a new modernized facility was acute, leading the way to the selling of Jagiellońska street plot in 2006. The product of the bargain provided to build from scratch a new plant at Przemysłowa street (a plot belonging to the former Bydgoszcz Gasworks), but paradoxically, this investment appeared to be hazardous, and financial problems ended with the bankruptcy of the "Bydgoszcz Meat Company" in 2008, after 118 years of operation. In 2009, producers and former supplier established the "Bydgoskie Meat Factory" Company and resumed production in the facility at Przemysłowa street. The same year, the plant became member of the group DROBEX.

One of the most interesting edifice is the former catering and administration building at N° 47. It is rectangular, brick-laid building, with two-storey, attic and basement. It has a four-storey tower clock in its south-east corner. Frontages are decorated with brick cornices and friezes with arcades. The south elevation displays a terrace with an openwork balustrade. The other three buildings are administrative and residential edifices. When the plot has been sold in 2006, the processing factory was demolished to give place to the shopping center Focus Mall. The four historic administrative buildings have been preserved and restored.

Focus Mall, at N°39-47

2007-2008

International Style

The shopping center "Focus Mall" has been opened on April 23, 2008 on the plot of the demolished meat processing factory of "Bydgoskie Meat Plant", sold in 2006. It was, at its opening, the biggest mall in Bydgoszcz and in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, one of the largest in Poland. It houses 150 shops and service points, and a 13 screen multiplex theatre (run by Cinema City Poland). The center has surface of 90 000 m², including 41 0000 m² of GLA. It has also a two-level parking for 1 200 cars.

PKS Main Station, at N°58

1973-1975

International Style

Erected on the former area of Bydgoszcz Gasplant, the station covers an area of 5 hectares stretching from Jagiellońska street to the Brda river. The recent University Bridge (2013) overhangs the premises.

Tenements at N° 51-57

1900-1910

Early Modern architecture

These townhouses, standing near the intersection with Oginski street, have been built in the first decade of the 20th century. This area was out of the city limits at that time: the suburb was called "Schröttersdorf" and the street "Promenadenstrasse". The first landlords of the ensemble were:

Villa at N°62, corner with Krakowska street

Registered on Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship heritage list, N°760205 Reg.A/1588 (May 10, 2011).

1907-1908

Art Nouveau

At the time of its erection, the villa was located out of the city limits, in the suburb of Schröterrsdorf, on Promenaden Straße. After 1920 and the re-creation of the Polish state, the expansion of Bydgoszcz subsumed these neighbouring cities; villa's address was then Ulica Promenada 41, then Ulica Promenada 10, when the city gave up the Prussian street numeration. In the late 1920s, the landlord was Zefiryn Rzymkowski, a merchant.

The villa, refurbished in 2014, features superb architectural details: vegetal volutes as cartouches, crying figures on top of pilasters and a corner balcony.

House at N°63

1903

Eclecticism

The building has a pediment which displays the carved coat of arms of the owner and the date of construction. This area was out of the city limits at that time: the suburb was then called Schröttersdorf and the street Promenaden straße.

Franz Errelis tenement, at N°69

1902-1903

Historicism

The building was erected at the request of Franz Errelis, a railway official, according to the design of Bydgoszcz architect Józef Święcicki. It is the last house realized by Święcicki, totally different in terms of formal and stylistic features. The building has four floors, with one apartment per level.

Bruno Sommerfeld factory, at N°92

ca 1910

Industrial architecture

The place has been the piano production workshop of Bruno and Ernst Sommerfeld, from 1915 till the end of WII. The factory address was initially Promenaden straße 4. The show room and selling point was located downtown at Śniadecki Street 2. Bruno Sommerfeld company thrived in the 1920s and 1930s, turning its owner into one of the wealthiest Germans citizen in Bydgoszcz. His piano factory has been the largest one in Poland between 1920 and 1939.

"Słoneczny Młyn" Hotel, at N°96

1862

Wattle and daub

The first reference of the mill dates back to 1862, but studies show that a mill facility has been standing there earlier. The building has been erected by entrepreneurs Louis Wolfen and Meyer Fließ, initially as a small steam mill with a capacity of approximately 1 ton per day. Its economic importance was then negligible. However, the location of the facility made it very convenient for transportation of grain and flour by waterways, via Brda river and the Bydgoszcz Canal. In 1892, the mill was bought by L. Berwald, and in 1899, it was in the hand of Willi and Moritz Baerwald. They carried out a thorough upgrading and extended the building to its limits for the time: equipment comprised, among others, a new steam engine and a narrow-gauge railway to a bridge over the Brda river, where transportation barges were standing. "Baerwald mill" daily production, from 15 to 20 tons in the late 19th century, rose up to 30 tons in the early 20th century, with a workforce of 20 to 25 people. In 1916 was built the high five-storey granary tower, today's dominant architectural item of the complex.

Bronislaw Kentzer, who gave his name to the building, managed the mill from 1938 to 1939. Under his leadership, the production peaked up to 50 tons per day. In autumn 1939, he was murdered by the Nazis, probably in Fordon's Valley of Death. In 1940 the facility was taken over by German authorities. After World War II, the building was briefly in the hands of a Cooperative, "Społem" ("Together"), then led by Jan Kentzer. After 1948's nationalizations, the mill was managed by the State Cereal Plant in Bydgoszcz, using it to produce flour and other cereal products. Many significant structural changes occurred afterwards: in 1961, steam engine was replaced for an electric one, and in the 1970s, offices, workshops, sheds and garages were built on the site of the demolished boiler room . At the end of the 1990s, the mill reached a record production of 100 tons of grain a day. At the same period, the company has been transformed into a Joint-stock company. This did not save the firm and in 2003, the mill complex stopped its production, buildings being put for sale.

The property has been bought by Barbara Komorowska, co-owner of the "Bakoma" company. From 2007 to 2009, the edifice was entirely refurbished and turned into a stylish four-star hotel under the name Sunny Mill (Polish: Słoneczny Młyn). The old granaries were demolished and other buildings were restored and integrated into a single complex. On the river side stands a cafe, along the river promenade, where the Bydgoszcz Water Tram stops. "Słoneczny Młyn" offers 96 rooms, 5 meeting rooms and a spa area. The suite in the tower offers panoramic views on Bydgoszcz. The decor refers to characteristic details of the early 20th century: Art Nouveau and Art deco. Individual floors of the hotel reflect the atmosphere of the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, winter.

The main part of the mill building dates back to 1916, but the ensemble has experienced an important amount of transformations. It displays the architectural characteristics of early industrial buildings.

House at N°107

ca 1900

Early Modern architecture

The building is one of the last old house on Jagiellońska. At the time of its erection, the plot was located out of Bromberg city limits, in the village of "Schröttersdorf", and the street bore the name of "Promenadenstrasse" or "Chausseestrasse".

Pasamon complex, at N°117

1924, by Jan Kossowski

Modern architecture

The firm Pasamon produces haberdashery woven ribbons and tapes since 1924.

The complex has been realized in the late 1930s by Bydgoszcz architect Jan Kossowski: he designed the workshop area, but also the villa of the director.